A Father's Present to His Daughter

Yesterday, I told you about Frita sending me a note, some partially written letters, and a dirty rag.  The note asked me to figure out this puzzle “game.”  When I called my parents yesterday, Frita answered.

Frita: So you got the package I sent.

Me: hehe Why, yes I did. 

Frita: but you didn’t figure out what it was.

Me: hehe You mean, the DIRTY RAG you sent me?

Frita: Yes, but do you know what the significance is?

Me: hehe I can honestly say, I have no idea. 

Frita: You know that shelf you have in your room?

(There is a shelf that runs high above the length of my room.  If my memory serves me, it contains two pairs of wooden shoes from Holland, a couple of big floppy and/or straw hats, some stuffed animals, cabbage patch kids, (including one from that crazy must have Christmas that my Aunt Audrye got me), and possibly a troll doll or two.)

Me: Yes, I know the shelf.

Frita: I cleaned it. 

Me: And sent me the dirty rag as proof?

Frita: Actually, I needed two because I cleaned those collectors’ plates and roses from Erika.  But I didn’t think you needed both rags.

Me: (Laughing too hard to speak)

Frita: I can’t believe you.

Me: hehe That I didn’t notice that you cleaned? When did you do this?

Frita: Last week.  No, I can’t believe you didn’t recognize the dust that you’ve been living with for years.

Me: hehe.  I’m sorry I didn’t recognize my own dust, Frita.  Hehe. 

Frita: Also, I don’t want to crush the view that you and Lucas have on the world, but the country in South America is “Chile”. 

Me:  I know.  This has been bothering you for a while huh?  If it makes you feel better, originally, Lucas said, “South Africa.” 

Frita:  That doesn’t make me feel better.  I know that family you live with do things differently out there. 

Me:  They are very visual people.

Frita: So am I! And all I could envision was a bowl of hearty chili that was too small to clap in!  Here’s your mother.

Momela: Hi.

Me: Rachel asked me if you knew about what Frita was up to.

Momela: I don’t pay attention to how he occupies his time.  Why, what did he do now?

So, I told her.